BACKGROUND
[0001] This invention generally relates to containers for detergent products. Such containers
containing detergent products are consumer products present in consumer homes, in
particular in rooms such as a kitchen, a laundry room or a bathroom, which tend to
generate a humid environment. It is important that the container be configured to
adequately protect the detergent product from degradation due to an excessive exposure
to such moisture or humidity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002]
FIG. 1A-B illustrate a first example consumer product and a variation of this first
example product.
FIG.2 illustrates a second example consumer product.
FIG.3 illustrates a third example consumer product.
FIG.4A-C illustrate a fourth example consumer product and two variations of this fourth
example product.
FIG.5A-B illustrate an example blank of the box of the first example consumer product.
FIG.6A-C illustrate an example blank of the box of the fourth example consumer product.
FIG.7 illustrates a first example method.
FIG.8 illustrates a second example method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0003] Detergent products are sensitive to humidity and should as such be contained in specific
containers, in particular containers which may be locked to reduce risks of an accidental
opening. At the same time, a lock of such a container should be configured to be actuated
by an ample variety of adult consumers or users. The lock should thereby both reliably
prevent accidental opening and provide for reliable unlocking when desired by an adult
consumer. While such objectives may appear contradictory, it is important to get them
both resolved. This apparent contradiction is particularly acute when applied to cardboard
containers which, while offering desirable recyclability, introduce challenges related
to their mechanical characteristics. The consumer product according to this disclosure
aims at taking these different aspects into account.
[0004] As will be described below, the specific configuration described in this disclosure
permits relying on a specific human gesture called "precision pinch". Precision pinch
is a specific human hand gesture whereby a human pinches an object between thumb and
at least one or more other finger of the same hand. It was found that human beings
are particularly precise when exerting such a movement. Precision may be described
in this respect by considering the alignment of the direction of forces applied by
the thumb and by the one or more other fingers of the same hand. When applying a precision
pinch, the thumb generates a first force on a first side of the pinch, the one or
more other finger generating a second force on a second side of the pinch. Generally
speaking, the first and the second forces are substantially along the same axis, in
opposite senses. The key point of the precision pinch is that the first and the second
force will naturally align each other if there is a reciprocal feedback response between
the thumb and the one or more other fingers from the same hand. As will be described
below, the configurations proposed will enable such reciprocal feedback, leading to
relying on a precision permitting reliable lock opening of an otherwise robust locking
mechanism. As will be described below, specific dimensioning enables such configurations,
in particular corresponding to an adult hand. It should indeed be understood that,
in the present description, a hand corresponds to a human adult hand.
[0005] Detergent products are products which may be relatively heavy, for example when a
container for such product is carrying the full weight of such detergent products,
in particular when the consumer product is recently acquired and thereby holds a significant
quantity of detergent product. While some consumers may lift and transport such a
consumer product holding a base of a box containing such detergent product, such lifting
and transport may also occur by holding such consumer product by a lid, without holding
the base. In such cases, it is possible that the lid, submitted to the force of gravity
of the detergent product, gets released and opens the box, the box falling and possibly
spreading its content. Such situations should be avoided. Beyond avoiding such unintentional
lid unlocking, the structure of the container of a consumer product should preserve
or improve opening ergonomics and prevent or reduce a permanent side wall deformation
upon excessive or repetitive application of forces applied to the consumer product,
for example during transport, in a grocery shopping bag against other objects, when
submitted to external pressure, or when dropped. At the same time, containers may
be elaborated in order to preserve the environment. The consumer product according
to this disclosure aims at taking these different aspects into account.
[0006] A consumer product should in this disclosure be understood as a product which is
provided, among others, to end consumers. Such consumer products may for example be
available for purchase in supermarkets and end consumers may store such consumer products
in their homes. Consumer products may be provided in large quantities and should thereby
be designed taking environmental concerns into account. Consumer products should also
be designed taking transportation to a retail store into account. Consumer products
should also be robust to withstand transportation as part of an e-commerce shipment.
Consumer products should also be designed taking on the shelf storage in a retail
store into account. Consumer products should also be designed taking transportation
from a retail store to a consumer home into account. Consumer products should also
be designed taking storage at a private end-consumer home into account. Consumer products
should also be designed taking use of the consumer product at a private end consumer
home into account. Consumer products should also be designed taking disposal into
account.
[0007] The consumer product according to this disclosure comprises a detergent product.
Detergent products should be understood in this disclosure as products comprising
a surfactant. Detergent products may also comprise a bleach or other ingredients.
Example detergent product compositions are described in more detail herein. In some
examples, the detergent product comprises unit dose detergent pouches, preferably
water soluble unit dose detergent pouches, more preferably flexible water soluble
unit dose detergent pouches. Example unit dose detergent pouches are described in
more detail herein. One should note that in some cases, the containers according to
this disclosure may also be suitable for content other than a detergent product, in
particular for content of a perishable nature, such as food or unstable chemical substances
for example.
[0008] The consumer product according to this disclosure further comprises a container.
A container should be understood in this disclosure as an object housing a content,
for example in a cavity of the container. The container facilitates protection, transport,
storage, access and disposal of the consumer product.
[0009] In this disclosure, the container comprises a box. A box should be understood as
a generally parallelepiped, barrel shaped, cylindrical, round, oval or cubical three
dimensional object defining a cavity. The use of parallelepiped boxes may facilitate
storage and transportation by permitting piling up boxes in a space efficient manner.
In some examples, a box may be a parallelepiped provided with some rounded, tapered
trapezium or chamfered edges. The box according to this disclosure comprises the detergent
product. It should be understood that the detergent product is contained or stored
in the box. The box according to this disclosure comprises a base, sidewalls, a top
panel opposite the base and an opening in the top panel. A top panel should be understood
as a generally planar structure connected to at least some of the side wall. When
the box is in a position of being used, the top panel of the box would be substantially
normal to the direction of gravity and would be facing up. In some examples, the opening
is entirely comprised in the top panel of the box, the top panel of the box facing,
i.e. opposite, the base of the box, the top panel of the box being separated from
the base of the box by at least the sidewalls, the top panel of the box being generally
coplanar with the base of the box, whereby the opening covers a portion of the top
panel, the top panel comprising a peripheral section surrounding or partially surrounding
the opening, the peripheral section being a transition piece between a sidewall and
the opening for example. In some examples, the opening is rectangular. In some examples,
the opening is rectangular with rounded edges. In some examples, the opening is round
or oval. In some examples, the opening includes, in addition to a first opening section
on the top panel, a second opening section on one or more of the sidewalls. In some
examples, the opening is a spout-like reclosable opening. In some examples, the spout-like
reclosable opening is entirely positioned on the top panel. In some examples, the
spout-like reclosable opening is partially positioned on the top panel and partially
positioned on a sidewall. Writing provided on sidewalls of the box are in some examples
horizontally readable when the box is in a position of being used. While sidewalls
may comprise a sidewall extremity coinciding with a plane comprising the top panel
or being connected to the top panel, such top panel should be understood as being
an element different from such sidewall extremity. A base according to this disclosure
should be understood as a surface on which the box may lie when placed on a supporting
surface such as a shelf or a floor. In some examples, the base is flat. In some examples,
the base is rectangular. In some examples, the base is oval or round. In some examples,
the base has an embossed profile standing in or out in relief. The sidewalls according
to this disclosure should be understood as extending from the base, and connecting
the base to the opening, to the top panel of the box, to a transition piece or to
the lid. It should be understood that the connection of the base to the opening may
include one or more transition pieces in addition to a sidewall or to the top panel.
A transition piece may be glued or otherwise attached to the sidewall for example.
In some examples, the sidewalls are perpendicular to the base. In some examples, the
base is rectangular and has four sides, four sidewalls extending perpendicular from
the base, each sidewall being rectangular, each side wall being connected by a sidewall
side to a side of the base, and by two other sidewall sides to two other of the four
sidewalls. In some examples the base is oval or circular and the sidewalls form a
generally cylindrical wall extending from the base in a direction normal or perpendicular
to the base. In some examples, sidewalls have a shape corresponding to one of a square,
a rectangle, a trapeze, a polygon, a section of a sphere, a section of an ovoid, or
a section of an ellipsoid. The opening provided in the top panel according to this
disclosure should be understood as an aperture providing access to the detergent product
comprised in the box. In some examples, the opening faces the base. In some examples,
the opening has a surface of less than the surface of the base. In some examples,
the opening is provided after removal of a tamper proof feature, for example comprising
a perforated piece to be removed at first use. A tamper evident sticker may be locking
a lid to the box. In some examples a tamper evident sticker is glued on the lid and
on the box, whereby the tamper evident sticker should be broken, teared or perforated
at first opening to indicate to a consumer that the container has not been tempered
with before purchase. This temper evident sticker may for example be in paper or in
plastic.
[0010] In some examples, the opening spans an area of at least 10 cm
2, preferably of at least 20 cm
2. Such opening span may permit inserting fingers or even a hand in order to reach
the inside of the box. In some examples, in order to provide easy access to the box
content while maintaining appropriate pinching reciprocal feedback response, the opening
spans an area of at least 20% of a top panel area, and at most 95% of the top panel
area. In some examples, the opening spans an area of at least 40% of a top panel area,
and at most 80% of the top panel area to obtain appropriate access to the box content
while maintaining preferred pinching reciprocal feedback response levels. In some
examples whereby the detergent comprises water-soluble unit dose articles, the opening
spans an area of between 1.1 and 10 times a largest cross sectional area of a water-soluble
unit dose article. In some preferred examples, the opening spans an area of between
1.5 and 5 times a largest cross sectional area of a water-soluble unit dose article
contained in the container.
[0011] In some examples, one or more additional openings are provided in the top panel.
Some or each of such one or more additional openings may span an area of at least
10 cm
2, preferably of at least 20 cm
2. Such one or more additional openings span may permit inserting fingers or even a
hand in order to reach the inside of the box. In some examples, in order to provide
easy access to the box content while maintaining appropriate pinching reciprocal feedback
response, each or some of the one or more additional openings spans an area of at
least 5% of a top panel area, and at most 40% of the top panel area. In some examples,
each or some of the one or more additional openings spans an area of at least 10%
of a top panel area, and at most 30% of the top panel area to obtain appropriate access
to the box content while maintaining preferred pinching reciprocal feedback response
levels. In some examples whereby the detergent comprises water-soluble unit dose articles,
each or some of the one or more additional openings spans an area of between 1.1 and
10 times a largest cross sectional area of a water-soluble unit dose article. In some
preferred examples, each or some of the one or more additional openings spans an area
of between 1.5 and 5 times a largest cross sectional area of a water-soluble unit
dose article contained in the container.
[0012] The container comprises a lid for the box. The lid according to this disclosure should
be understood as an element permitting to repeatedly close or open the opening of
the box. In some examples the lid may be connected to the box, for example by a hinge,
or may be separated from the box. The lid according to this disclosure comprises a
top or lid top and flanks or lid flanks. It should be understood that the top of the
lid is aimed at covering the top panel and the opening of the box when the lid is
in a closed position. In some examples, the top of the lid is rectangular. In some
examples the top of the lid is round, hexagonal, octagonal, polygonal or oval, structures
such as round or oval being for example approximated by multiplying a number of side
panels and lid flaps. In some examples, the lid comprises beveled edges. In some examples,
the top of the lid is rectangular with rounded edges. It should be understood that
while being named "top", the top of the lid may be positioned in different orientations.
The lid comprises flanks. It should be understood that the flanks according to this
disclosure are elements connected to the top of the lid and extending from the lid
in order to engage one or more sidewalls of the box, each flank having an extension
along a corresponding sidewall between the connection to the top of the lid and a
distal end of the flank. The flanks participate in placing the top of the lid onto
the top panel of the box and onto the opening. In some examples, the flanks extend
perpendicularly from the top of the lid. In some examples, the flanks surround an
entire perimeter of the top of the lid. In some examples, the flanks partially surround
an entire perimeter of the top of the lid, a portion of the top of the lid being flankless,
for example along a hinge between the lid and the box in a case of a hinged lid. The
top of the lid may cover the top panel of the box and the opening, and at least a
portion of the flanks may cover at least a specific portion of a specific sidewall
of the sidewalls of the box when the lid is in the closed position, the lid being
moveable from the closed position to an open position. Movement of the lid may be
restrained by a connection to the box such as a hinge, or may be entirely removable,
for example to provide an improved access to the content of the box. The box and lid
cooperate to participate in fulfilling the role of the container to store, transport
and facilitate access to the content of the container.
[0013] The container according to this disclosure comprises a lock. A lock should be in
this disclosure understood as a mechanism preventing or reducing the likelihood of
an accidental opening. The lock according to this disclosure is to maintain the lid
in a closed position. It should be understood that the lock according to this disclosure
is expected to function under normal use of the container. It should be understood
that the lock may not fulfill its function when for example unusual use is made of
the box, or when the box is under unusual conditions. According to this disclosure,
the lock comprises a specific actuator moveable from a locking position to an opening
position by applying an actuation pressure onto the specific actuator when the lid
is in the closed position. The specific actuator should be understood in this disclosure
as a mechanical structure submitted to a movement upon actuation by an outside force
or actuation pressure, such movement leading to the opening of the lock when such
movement takes place. In some examples, the specific actuator according to this disclosure
is resilient and has a default position, such default position corresponding to the
lid remaining closed, a resilience being vanquished by an outside force or actuation
pressure in order to open the lid. In some examples, the specific actuator is resilient
in that the specific actuator comprises a flexible element, the flexible element having
a default position corresponding to the lid remaining closed, the flexible element
being pressed to open the lid, the flexible element springing back to the default
position when releasing pressure. It should be understood that a pressure is generated
by the application of a force onto a surface. The specific actuator according to this
disclosure has at least two positions being the opening position and the locking position,
whereby the opening position corresponds to a position permitting opening of the lid,
the locking position preventing opening of the lid or reducing the possibility of
an accidental opening of the lid.
[0014] The specific actuator according to this disclosure is connected to the specific portion
being the at least specific portion of a specific sidewall of the sidewalls of the
box covered by at least a portion of the flanks when the lid is in the closed position,
which may be a specific portion covered by at least a portion of the flanks when the
lid is in the closed position, the specific actuator abutting for example against
a locking tab of the flanks when in the locking position, the specific actuator being
for example maintained away from the locking tab when in the opening position, the
specific actuator being for example displaceable by the actuation pressure by an unlocking
displacement distance in a direction normal to the specific portion of the sidewalls.
The connection to the specific portion may for example be a fold line at an end of
a sidewall away from the base. The connection of the specific actuator to the specific
portion of the sidewall is due to the specific actuator participating in locking or
unlocking the specific portion of the sidewall from the portion of the flanks covering
the specific portion of the sidewall, thereby permitting releasing the lid from the
box. The flanks may comprise a locking tab. A locking tab should be understood as
a mechanical element which interlocks with the specific actuator. In some examples
the locking tab extends away from the flanks and may be in the form of a bulge, a
ridge, an embossment or an additional material layer sticking out of the flanks of
the lid and towards the specific portion of the side wall such that the specific actuator
may abut against the tab when in the locking position to prevent separating the specific
portion of the sidewalls from the flank in the area of the specific actuator. In some
examples, the locking tab is comprised in the flank itself, the locking tab being
for example formed by an aperture in the flanks. Abutment according to this disclosure
should be understood as a contact between the specific actuator or part of the specific
actuator and the tab, such contact preventing opening of the lid. In some examples
the specific actuator is maintained away from the locking tab when in the opening
position, in order to release the locking tab. Such release of the locking tab permits
opening the lid. Displacement or movement of the specific actuator from the locking
to the opening position is by application on the specific actuator (directly or indirectly)
of an actuation pressure or force such that the specific actuator is displaced by
a distance sufficient to supress contact of the specific actuator with the locking
tab, such distance corresponding to the displacement distance, in a direction normal
to the specific portion of the side wall. It should be understood that due to the
specific dimension configuration according to this disclosure, the force or pressure
leading to the displacement will take a specific direction defined by the precision
pinching, such specific direction contributing to the displacement in a direction
normal to the specific portion of the side wall. Such force or pressure may also comprise
a minor component which may be parallel to the side wall, due to the fact that the
hand is a human hand which does not necessarily align force completely perfectly,
even when applying a precision pinch. The actuation is however triggered by a component
of such force or pressure being normal to the portion of the side wall. Such presence
of a component normal to the portion of the sidewall participates in the role of the
lock of avoiding an accidental opening, whereas desired opening would take place by
the consumer "pushing" the specific actuator and apply the unlocking force or pressure
permitting opening of the lid.
[0015] In order to provide precision in locating a finger appropriately and obtain a precision
pinch, the flanks comprise a specific actuation area in a specific flank, the actuation
area facing the specific actuator. The fact that such actuation area faces the specific
actuator indeed permits locating either the thumb or one or more of the other fingers
on exactly the area on which a lock opening force should be applied. The actuation
area should be understood as defining a localised discontinuity on the specific flank,
whereby a user or consumer may perceive such discontinuity in order to correctly locate
the thumb or one or more other fingers and apply the precision pinch. Such discontinuity
may comprise one or more of an actuation aperture, an actuation flap, an actuation
slit or an actuation membrane. In some examples, the actuation area, meaning either
one or both of the specific or additional actuation area, the specific portion, or
the additional portion, comprises a visual indication indicating the location of the
actuation area. In some examples whereby the actuation area is an aperture, the specific
portion, respectively additional portion, comprises a visual indication visible through
the aperture, respectively apertures, when the lid is closed. The visual indication
may be printed on an external surface of the flanks and may comprise one or more arrows
or one or more areas printed in a striking colour or a specific text providing instructions
such as "push here to open" for example, or a combination of any of these indications,
in order to further increase precision of pinching. The actuation area is configured
to permit displacing the specific actuator from the locking position to the opening
position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation area when the
lid is in the closed position. In order to appropriately place the thumb or one or
more other fingers, the specific actuation area preferably spans less than 8 cm
2 and more than 0.2 cm
2. It was found that a larger area may lead to lack of precision in finger placement,
and that a smaller area may lead to the actuation area being difficult to locate for
a user or consumer. In some examples, the specific actuation area has a circular shape
in order to ease positioning. Other shapes may be considered such as, for example,
elliptical, oval, square, triangular, square with rounded corners, triangular with
rounded corners, other polygonal shapes or other polygonal shapes with rounded corners.
[0016] As mentioned above, in order to reach an appropriate precision in precision pinch,
the thumb should perceive a reaction force from the one or more fingers of the same
hand, and the one or more fingers should perceive a reaction force from the thumb.
This reciprocal feedback will lead to aligning the forces produced during the precision
pinch leading to the opening of the lock. Such feedback should be transmitted by some
structure which would directly or indirectly connect the specific actuation area with
the flank opposite the specific flank. It was found that the role of such a structure
transmitting the feedback forces could be fulfilled by a top panel section comprised
in the top panel of the box, the top panel section joining at least a part of the
specific sidewall to at least a part of an opposite sidewall, the opposite sidewall
being opposite to the specific sidewall, and this when the specific actuation area
was located in a specific manner, such specific manner permitting that the thumb and
one or more other fingers enter in contact simultaneously with the specific actuator
and with the opposite sidewall which are linked through the top panel section. Such
location of the specific area may be defined by the location of a specific centroid
of the specific actuation area. The specific actuation area indeed defines a specific
centroid, a centroid corresponding for example to a geometric centre of the actuation
area or arithmetic mean position of all the points comprised in the specific actuation
area. In order to achieve adequate reciprocal feedback transmission through the top
panel section, the specific centroid is separated from the top of the lid by less
than 5 cm and by more than 0.5 cm and the specific centroid is separated from a distal
end of the specific flank by more than 0.5 cm. The distal end should be understood
as the end of the flank away from the top of the lid along the direction of the box
sidewalls. In some preferred examples, order to facilitate pinching across the top
of the lid, the top of the lid spans less than 13 cm and more than 6 cm along a direction
normal to the specific portion at the specific centroid. It was found that a larger
span could render pinching difficult, and that a smaller span my render difficult
accessing the detergent contained in the box. Precision pinch is believed to provide
an appropriate balance of power and precision for the purpose of opening the lock
according to this disclosure. In some examples, the top of the lid spans less than
12 cm and more than 7 cm along a direction normal to the specific portion at the specific
centroid. In some examples, the top of the lid spans less than 11 cm and more than
8 cm along a direction normal to the specific portion at the specific centroid. In
some examples, the top of the lid spans less than 10 cm and more than 9 cm along a
direction normal to the specific portion at the specific centroid.
[0017] In some examples, in order to appropriately transmit the reciprocal feedback pinching
force, the top panel section has a minimum width in a plane coinciding with the top
panel of the box and along a direction parallel to the specific portion of a specific
sidewall, the minimum width being of at least 5% of a length of an edge between the
top panel and the specific sidewall, preferably at least 10% of a length of an edge
between the top panel and the specific sidewall, more preferably at least 20% of a
length of an edge between the top panel and the specific sidewall. In some examples,
in order to provide easy access to the content, the top panel section has a maximum
width in a plane coinciding with the top panel of the box and along a direction parallel
to the specific portion of a specific sidewall, the maximum width being of at most
70% of a length of an edge between the top panel and the specific sidewall, preferably
at most 60% of a length of an edge between the top panel and the specific sidewall,
more preferably at most 50% of a length of an edge between the top panel and the specific
sidewall.
[0018] Figure 1A illustrates an example consumer product 100 comprising a detergent product
(not visible) and a container, the container comprising a box 101 comprising the detergent
product, a lid 102 for the box 101, and a lock 103 to maintain the lid 101 in a closed
position. The box comprises a base 110, sidewalls 111-114, a top panel 190 and an
opening 180 opposite the base, the lid 102 comprising a top 120 and flanks 121-124,
the top 120 covering the opening and the flanks 121-124 covering at least a specific
portion of a specific sidewall of the sidewalls 111-114 of the box 101 when the lid
102 is in the closed position, the lock 103 comprises a specific actuator 130 moveable
from a locking position to an opening position by applying an actuation pressure onto
the specific actuator 130 when the lid is 102 in the closed position, the specific
actuator 130 being connected to the specific portion, the flanks 121-124 comprising
a specific actuation area 104 in a specific flank 121, the actuation area 104 facing
the specific actuator 130 and permitting displacing the specific actuator 130 from
the locking position to the opening position by applying the actuation pressure at
the specific actuation area 104 when the lid 102 is in the closed position.
[0019] In example consumer product 100 the box has a rectangular base and the lid has a
rectangular top. The sidewalls and flanks are also rectangular. In this example, the
lid is illustrated in the open position in order to visualize the various elements.
In this example, the actuation area 104 is a round aperture having a 2.4 cm diameter
which defines a specific actuation area of about 4.5 cm
2. Actuation area 104 defines a specific centroid which corresponds to the center of
the round aperture. In this example, the center of the aperture is separated from
the top of the lid by about 20 mm as illustrated by distance 150 which is the shortest
distance between the specific centroid and a point comprised in the top of the lid,
the distance in this case being along a direction perpendicular to the top of the
lid and along flank 121 into which the aperture 104 is cut out. The specific centroid,
or center of round actuation area 104, is in this example separated from a distal
end of the specific flank by 50 mm as illustrated by distance 151 which is the shortest
distance between the specific centroid and a point comprised in the distal end of
flank 121 of the lid, the distance in this case being along a direction perpendicular
to the top of the lid and along flank 121 into which the aperture 104 is cut out.
In this example, the top of the lid spans 94 mm along a direction normal to the specific
portion at the specific centroid, as illustrated by distance 152 which in this case
is parallel to the top of the lid and normal to the specific flank 121 where the specific
actuation area is located. In this example, the lock 103 comprises a flap 130 which
may be pushed through the aperture 104 when the lid is in the closed position. Lid
102 may be removed by, with a first adult hand, placing either the thumb or any other
finger on the actuation area 104, and the opposite finger or fingers of the same adult
hand on the flank 123 opposite the specific flank, the first adult hand thereby pinching
the lid 102 across its top 120 and pushing onto flap 130 while holding the box 101
with the other adult hand to lifting the lid open as the flap 130 remains pressed
against the specific portion of sidewall 111.
[0020] As the first adult hand pinches the lid 102, a reciprocal feedback response is transmitted
during pinching through the top panel 190 of the box, specifically through the top
panel section joining a part of the specific sidewall 111 to a part of opposite sidewall
113. Such reciprocal feedback response contributes to facilitating the unlocking,
in particular by increasing the rigidity of the box structure at the level of the
top panel. In this specific example, the top panel section joining at least a part
of the specific sidewall 111 to at least a part of the opposite sidewall 113 is connected
to a first connecting sidewall wall 112, the first connecting sidewall 112 joining
the specific sidewall 111 and the opposite sidewall 113, the first connecting sidewall
112 being in this example perpendicular to the specific sidewall 111, to the opposite
sidewall 113, and to the top panel section 190. Such configuration provides additional
rigidity and robustness, facilitating transmittal of the reciprocal feedback response.
In other examples, not illustrated here, the top panel section may be separated from
a connecting sidewall, while being connected to both the specific and opposite sidewall,
acting as a bridge between these. In some examples as illustrated in Figure 1B discussed
below, such bridge formed by the top panel section may conveniently be aligned with
the specific actuator.
[0021] Figure 1B illustrates an example consumer product 100B which is a variation on example
consumer product 100. In example 100B, the top panel section 191 is disconnected from
either connecting sidewall, and is placed directly in alignment with the specific
portion of sidewall 111, i.e. aligned with the flap 130, thereby permitting directly
transmitting the reciprocal feedback pinching force. In other examples, the top panel
section may be positioned in an intermediate position between the position exemplified
in example 100B and the position exemplified in example 100.
[0022] Figure 2 illustrates an example consumer product 200 comprising a detergent product
(not visible) and a container, the container comprising a box 201 comprising the detergent
product, a lid 202 for the box 201, and a lock 203 to maintain the lid 201 in a closed
position. The box comprising a top panel 290, base 210, sidewalls 211-214 and an opening
280 in the top panel and opposite the base, the lid 202 comprising a top 220 and flanks
221-223, the top 220 covering the opening and the flanks 221-223 covering at least
a specific portion of a specific sidewall of the sidewalls 211-214 of the box 201
when the lid 202 is in the closed position, the lock 203 comprises a specific actuator
230 moveable from a locking position to an opening position by applying an actuation
pressure onto the specific actuator 230 when the lid is 202 in the closed position,
the specific actuator 230 being connected to the specific portion, the flanks 221-223
comprising a specific actuation area 204 in a specific flank 221, the actuation area
204 facing the specific actuator 230 and permitting displacing the specific actuator
230 from the locking position to the opening position by applying the actuation pressure
at the specific actuation area 204 when the lid 202 is in the closed position.
[0023] In example consumer product 200 the box has a rectangular base and the lid has a
rectangular top. In this example, the lid is a hinged lid connected by a fold line
to sidewall 213 opposite side wall 211 comprising the specific portion. The sidewalls
and flanks are also rectangular. In this example, the lid is illustrated in the open
position in order to visualize the various elements. In this example, the actuation
area 204 is a rectangular membrane having rounded edged and covering an underlying
aperture, the rectangular membrane having a 1cm height along a direction normal to
the top of the lid and a length of 3cm in a direction perpendicular to the height
direction, thereby defining a specific actuation area of about 3 cm
2. Actuation area 204 defines a specific centroid which corresponds to the center of
the rectangle membrane. In this example, the specific centroid is separated from the
top of the lid by 30 mm as illustrated by distance 250 which is the shortest distance
between the specific centroid and a point comprised in the top of the lid, the distance
in this case being along a direction perpendicular to the top of the lid and along
flank 221 where the actuation area is located. The specific centroid is in this example
separated from a distal end of the specific flank 221 by 30 mm as illustrated by distance
251 which is the shortest distance between the specific centroid and a point comprised
in the distal end of flank 221 of the lid, the distance in this case being along a
direction perpendicular to the top of the lid and along flank 221 into which the actuation
area 204 is cut out. In this example, the top of the lid spans 100 mm along a direction
normal to the specific portion at the specific centroid, as illustrated by distance
252 which in this case is parallel to the top of the lid and normal to the specific
flank 221 where the specific actuation area is located. In this example, the lock
203 comprises a spring loaded push button 230 which may be actuated through the membrane
of actuation area 204 when the lid is closed. Lid 202 may be opened by, with a first
adult hand, placing either the thumb or any other finger on the actuation area 204,
and the opposite finger or fingers of the same adult hand on the sidewall 223 opposite
the sidewall 211 comprising the actuation area, the first adult hand thereby pinching
the lid 202 across its top 220 and pushing onto button 230 while holding the box 201
with the other adult hand, to hinge the lid open as the button 230 remains pressed
against the specific portion of sidewall 211.
[0024] As the first adult hand pinches the lid 202, a reciprocal feedback response is transmitted
during pinching through the top panel 290 of the box, specifically through both a
top panel section joining a part of the specific sidewall 211 to a part of opposite
sidewall 213 and connected to first connecting sidewall 212, and an additional top
panel section, the additional top panel section joining a part of the specific sidewall
211 to a part of the opposite sidewall 213, the additional top panel section being
connected to a second connecting sidewall wall 214, the second connecting sidewall
214 joining the specific sidewall 211 and the opposite sidewall 213, the second connecting
sidewall 214 being perpendicular to the specific sidewall 211, to the opposite sidewall
213, and to the top panel section 290, the second connecting sidewall 214 being opposite
the first connecting sidewall. Such reciprocal feedback response contributes to facilitating
the unlocking. Such configuration provides additional rigidity and robustness, facilitating
transmittal of the reciprocal feedback response along both the first and the second
connecting sidewalls, thereby balancing such transmission of the reciprocal feedback
response which is applied in a region between such connecting sidewalls. In some other
examples (not illustrated here), one or both of the top panel section and the additional
top panel section may be disconnected from connecting sidewalls, similarly to top
panel section 191 of Figure 1B, for example in order to improve transmittal of the
reciprocal feedback pinching force by proximity to the specific (or additional) actuator,
and to reduce or avoid sidewall deformation.
[0025] In some examples, in order to permit a preferred level of transmission of the reciprocal
feedback response along the top panel from the specific sidewall to the opposite sidewall,
the top panel section and the additional top panel section have a combined minimum
width in a plane coinciding with the top panel of the box and along a same direction
parallel to the specific portion of a specific sidewall, the combined minimum width
being of at least 5% of a length of an edge between the top panel and the specific
sidewall. In some examples, the top panel section and the additional top panel section
have a combined minimum width in a plane coinciding with the top panel of the box
and along a same direction parallel to the specific portion of a specific sidewall,
the combined minimum width being of at least 10% of a length of an edge between the
top panel and the specific sidewall. In some examples, the top panel section and the
additional top panel section have a combined maximum width in a plane coinciding with
the top panel of the box and along a same direction parallel to the specific portion
of a specific sidewall, the combined maximum width being of at most 80% of a length
of an edge between the top panel and the specific sidewall.
[0026] Figure 3 illustrates an example consumer product 300 comprising elements already
described in the context of Figure 1A, the same reference numerals being used. Example
consumer product 300 comprises a top panel 390, such top panel 390 comprising three
different top panel sections which well be described in more details below. Opening
380 is provided in the top panel 390.
[0027] Example consumer product 300 further comprises an additional actuation area 304 in
opposite flank 123, whereby, in this example, the actuation area 304 is of the same
nature as actuation area 104, the opposite flank 123 being opposite the specific flank
121, the additional actuation 304 area being adjacent to an additional portion of
a sidewall 113 opposite the specific sidewall 111, whereby:
the additional actuation area spans less than 8 cm2 and more than 0.2 cm2, in this
specific example about 0.8 cm2, the additional actuation 304 area defining an additional centroid;
the additional centroid is separated from the top of the lid by less than 5 cm and
by more than 0.5 cm, preferably between 1.5cm and 2.5cm, and in this specific example
by about 2cm;
the additional centroid is separated from a distal end of the opposite flank by more
than 0.5 cm;
the additional centroid is aligned with the specific centroid along a direction normal
to the additional portion at the additional centroid; and the additional centroid
and the specific centroid are separated by more than 6 cm and by less than 13 cm,
this separation distance being understood as a mean shortest direct distance.
[0028] In a preferred example, the additional centroid is separated from a distal end of
the opposite flank by a distance of about 5 cm.
[0029] In a preferred example, the additional centroid and the specific centroid are separated
by about 94mm.
[0030] In some example, the specific centroid is separated from a distal end of the specific
flank by a distance D1 and the additional centroid is separated from a distal end
of the opposite flank by a distance D2, whereby D1 differs from D2 by more than 5%
of the value of D1. In an example, D1 is of about 1.5 cm and D2 is of about 3 cm.
Such difference in distances from respective distal end can permit adjusting the measurements
of the precision pinch desired. In some examples, D1 and D2 differ by less than 1cm,
preferably by less than 0.5cm. Such offset between D1 and D2 can contribute to reducing
instances of accidental opening upon lifting the box by the 2 actuation areas simultaneously,
while limiting such offset enables a precision pinch.
[0031] In some examples, the additional actuation area has a circular shape in order to
ease positioning. Other shapes may be considered such as, for example, elliptical,
oval or polygonal shapes.
[0032] A configuration as per example of Figure 3 permits precise finger placement on opposite
sides across the top of the lid, thereby further easing the application of a precision
pinch. As a first adult hand pinches the lid 102 of Figure 3, a reciprocal feedback
response is transmitted during pinching through the top panel 390 of the box, specifically
through both a top panel section joining a part of the specific sidewall 111 to a
part of opposite sidewall 113 and connected to first connecting sidewall 112, and
an additional top panel section, the additional top panel section joining a part of
the specific sidewall 111 to a part of the opposite sidewall 113, the additional top
panel section being connected to a second connecting sidewall wall 114, the second
connecting sidewall 114 joining the specific sidewall 111 and the opposite sidewall
113, the second connecting sidewall 114 being perpendicular to the specific sidewall
111, to the opposite sidewall 113, and to the top panel 390, the second connecting
sidewall 114 being opposite the first connecting sidewall. Such reciprocal feedback
response contributes to facilitating the unlocking. Such configuration provides further
additional rigidity and robustness, facilitating transmittal of the reciprocal feedback
response along both the first and the second connecting sidewalls, in particular through
the providing of a third top panel section, whereby the top panel section and the
additional top panel section are connected by this third top panel section being a
specific connecting top panel section, the specific connecting top panel section being
connected to the specific sidewall 111, the specific connecting top panel section
being preferably perpendicular to the specific sidewall. Such a specific connecting
top panel section further increases transmittal of the reciprocal feedback response,
such feedback response travelling through all three top panel sections.
[0033] One should note that while a configuration comprising an additional actuation area
is illustrated by the example of Figure 3, other configuration may be considered,
which may for example combine an additional actuation area which may be of a different
type or have different dimensions from the specific actuation area, and may not necessarily
be placed exactly opposite the specific actuation area. In addition to improving precision
pinch by increasing finger placement precision, using an additional actuation area
may for example enable use of a same box by right handed or left handed people regardless
of the box location.
[0034] In some examples such as illustrated in Figure 3, a shortest distance between the
additional centroid and the specific centroid along the specific flank, top of the
lid and opposite flank is of less than 18cm, thereby permitting exerting a precision
pinch between both actuation areas across the top of the lid with an adult hand. In
some examples, the shortest distance between the additional centroid and the specific
centroid along the specific flank, top of the lid and opposite flank is of less than
15 cm. In an example, In some examples, the shortest distance between the additional
centroid and the specific centroid along the specific flank, top of the lid and opposite
flank is of 13.4cm decomposed in 9.5cm across the top of the lid, 2cm along the specific
flank, and 2cm along the opposite flank.
[0035] Figure 4A illustrates an example consumer product 400. This example consumer product
400 comprises the elements of consumer product 300 which are numbered using the same
reference numerals. Example consumer product 400 comprises top panel 490 which comprises
four top panel sections as will be described below. In this example, the four top
panel sections surround the opening provided in the top panel. In addition, example
consumer product 400 comprises an additional actuator 403, the additional actuator
403 being connected to the additional portion of the sidewall 113 opposite the specific
sidewall 111, the additional actuator 403 facing the additional actuation area 304
when the lid 102 is closed. The additional actuator 403 is represented with a flap
similar to flap 130 which interacts with a tab 430 placed on the inside of flap 123
to reinforce the locking of the lid. Pinching will in this case unlock both the additional
actuator and the specific actuator to permit opening the lid. While the tab is illustrated
as spanning a portion of the corresponding flap 123, tabs may span an entire length
of the corresponding flap. A tab (not visible) is provided on the inside of flap 121
to interact with flap 130 and contribute to the locking. One should note that while
the additional actuator 403 is represented as symmetrically opposed to the specific
actuator 130 and as having the same nature and dimensions, such actuators may take
in other examples different natures and dimensions, and may not necessarily be symmetrical.
[0036] A configuration as per example of Figure 4A permits precise placement on opposite
sides across the top of the lid, thereby further easing the application of a precision
pinch. As a first adult hand pinches the lid 102 of Figure 4A, a reciprocal feedback
response is transmitted during pinching through the top panel 490 of the box, specifically
through both a top panel section joining a part of the specific sidewall 111 to a
part of opposite sidewall 113 and connected to first connecting sidewall 112, and
an additional top panel section, the additional top panel section joining a part of
the specific sidewall 111 to a part of the opposite sidewall 113, the additional top
panel section being connected to a second connecting sidewall wall 114, the second
connecting sidewall 114 joining the specific sidewall 111 and the opposite sidewall
113, the second connecting sidewall 114 being perpendicular to the specific sidewall
111, to the opposite sidewall 113, and to the top panel 490, the second connecting
sidewall 114 being opposite the first connecting sidewall. Such reciprocal feedback
response contributes to facilitating the unlocking. Such configuration provides further
additional rigidity and robustness, facilitating transmittal of the reciprocal feedback
response along both the first and the second connecting sidewalls, in particular through
the providing of a third top panel section, whereby the top panel section and the
additional top panel section are connected by this third top panel section being a
specific connecting top panel section, the specific connecting top panel section being
connected to the specific sidewall 111, the specific connecting top panel section
being preferably perpendicular to the specific sidewall. In this configuration, top
panel 490 comprises a fourth top panel section, the top panel section and the additional
top panel section being connected by this fourth top panel section, which is an opposite
connecting top panel section, the opposite connecting top panel section being connected
to the opposite sidewall, the opposite connecting top panel section being perpendicular
to the opposite sidewall. Such combination of a specific connecting top panel section
and of a further opposite connecting top panel section increases transmittal of the
reciprocal feedback response, such feedback response travelling through all four top
panel sections.
[0037] In the example illustrated in Figure 4A, the opening has a perimeter delimited by
the four top panel sections. Indeed, in some examples, the opening has a perimeter
delimited by at least one or more of the top panel section, additional top panel section
when present, specific connecting top panel section when present, and opposite connecting
top panel section when present.
[0038] Figures 4B and 4C illustrates variations of the example of Figure 4A whereby the
box has a form factor configured for letterbox delivery. Letterbox delivery may for
example be rendered possible in some geographical areas if the container is at most
5cm tick along one of its dimensions. In the examples illustrated, the container is
at most 5cm thick in the direction perpendicular to its base. In other geographies,
the container is at most 7cm tick along one of its dimensions. In other geographies,
the container is at most 4cm tick along one of its dimensions. In the example of Figure
4B, the top panel entirely surrounds a single opening. In the example of Figure 4C,
the top panel comprises top panel sections forming a grid. In some examples, such
grid defines cells, each cell providing access to a single unit dose detergent pouch.
Other top panel configurations according to this disclosure may be considered. It
should be noted that in the case of a container which has a form factor configured
for letterbox delivery, the top panel according to this disclosure provides additional
structural robustness, which is particularly suited to e-commerce, in this case to
sending the product to a letterbox. Either one of the hood lid 102 or hinged lid 202
may be adapted to be combined with a box having a form factor configured for letterbox
delivery. In some examples (not illustrated here), a box having a form factor configured
for letterbox delivery may comprise a single actuator in the form of the specific
actuator.
[0039] In some examples whereby the container is configured for letterbox delivery, the
consumer product may be posted by mail after being erected and filled with the detergent
product, the consumer product being thereafter inserted in a letterbox.
[0040] In some examples, the lock is placed in a central area of a sidewall of the box.
A central area should be understood as substantially equidistant from opposite edges
of the sidewall concerned, such edges being along a direction normal to the base of
the box. In such examples, it should be understood that the lock is located closest
to an edge of the sidewall close to the opening than to an edge of the sidewall close
to the base, while being in a central area in respect to the edges normal to the base.
Such central location of the lock may participate in avoiding sliding of the lid from
the box if the box is lifted by holding the lid by applying pressure onto the specific
actuator, whereby such pressure presses the specific actuator against the support
element structure centrally, thereby balancing the forces maintaining the connection
between the lid and the box and participating in avoiding accidental opening. In some
examples, the lock may be located on a sidewall and between two edges of the sidewall,
such edges being normal to the base, the lock being closer to one edge than to the
other edge of the two edges, for example located closer to the one edge at a 1/3 of
the distance between the two edges. In some examples one sidewall may comprise two
locks. In some examples two locks may be provided offset versus each versus a centreline
to increase a distance separating the two locks. In some examples more than two locks
may be provided. In some examples, three locks are provided, for example corresponding
to a first lock for a thumb of a user hand and two other locks on the other side of
the lid for an index and middle finger of the same user hand so such user may actuate
the three locks one handed and simultaneously while holding the box with the other
hand.
[0041] In some examples, the specific centroid, and respectively additional centroid when
present, is located in a central region of a flank of the lid along a horizontal direction
parallel to the top of the lid. A central area should be understood as substantially
equidistant from opposite edges of the flank concerned, such edges being along a direction
normal to the top of the lid. Such a configuration permits using a reversible lid,
in particular when both a specific centroid and additional centroid are present.
[0042] The present disclosure also aims at resolving an apparent contradiction between,
on one hand, the use of materials for the sidewalls which would resist accidental
opening, and the use of materials for the sidewalls which are particularly environmentally
friendly.
[0043] The container may indeed be made from paper or cardboard material, in particular
rigid cardboard material, flexible cardboard material or a mixture thereof. In some
example, the material forming the box or the lid has a wall thickness of more than
220 microns and of less than 3mm. In some example, the material forming the box or
the lid has a wall thickness of more than 1mm and of less than 2mm. The container
may be made from paper materials, bio based material, bamboo fibres, cellulose fibres,
cellulose based or fibre based materials, or a mixture thereof. The container may
be made from materials comprising recycled materials, for example recycled cellulose
fiber based materials. In some examples, in order to facilitate opening, the lid may
be entirely separated from the box when open, and the lid weighs less than 200g, preferably
less than 100g, even more preferably less than 80g, and more than 10g, more preferably
more than 30g, even more preferably more than 40g, in order to obtain a sufficiently
robust lid structure. In some examples, in order to appropriately transmit reciprocal
feedback response during pinching, the top panel has a thickness of at least 0.5 mm,
preferably of at least 0.7 mm, more preferably of at least 0.8 mm. In some examples,
the top panel has a thickness of at least 1 mm. Top panel thickness may differ from
the thickness of other parts of the box.
[0044] In some examples, the top panel of the box comprises a corrugated cardboard layer,
the corrugated cardboard layer comprising flutes, the flutes preferably running parallel
to the direction normal to the specific portion at the specific centroid and parallel
to the base, and whereby the opening preferably intersect at least some of the flutes.
Such a structure permits reinforcing the top panel in the direction of pinching, thereby
further increasing the pinching force feedback and thereby pinch precision. The intersecting
of flutes by the opening also permits ventilating the top panel in which the opening
is provided, thereby reinforcing top panel integrity in humid environments. In some
examples, both the top panel and the remaining parts of the box comprise flutes, the
top panel comprising flutes thicker than flutes used for the remaining parts of the
box.
[0045] The container may be prepared as a whole from cardboard, paperboard and/or paper.
Preferably the container is prepared from corrugated cardboard, e.g. single wall double
faced corrugated cardboard; or a double wall corrugated cardboard or triple wall corrugated
cardboard having paper sheets at least on both outer surfaces ("faced cardboard"),
wherein the use of a single wall double faced corrugated cardboard is preferred.
[0046] According to the present application the term "cardboard" is used for a material
commonly also described as "paperboard". It should be agreed that these terms can
be used synonymously, not providing a noticeable difference in the material suitable
for the present invention.
[0047] In the present application it should be understood, that when the term "cardboard"
is used, this means as well and in particular a corrugated cardboard, wherein said
corrugated cardboard further may optionally comprise a vapor or moisture barrier layer.
[0048] Said cardboard preferably comprises a vapor or moisture barrier layer, preferably
"inside" the cardboard, which means that said barrier layer is provided between the
both outer surface layers. Said vapor or moisture barrier layer may be a layer provided
attached to or applied to one of the surfaces of the paper sheets used for preparation
of the corrugated cardboard, wherein said layered surface is then faced to the inner
side of the cardboard, or said barrier layer is provided as a separate film, sheet
or layer, which is included into the corrugated cardboard during its preparation.
Furthermore, also a "solid" cardboard may be used, e.g. a cardboard laminate including
a vapor or moisture barrier layer sandwiched between two cardboard sheets, between
a cardboard and a paper sheet or between two paper sheets, or a cardboard laminate
comprising only a cardboard sheet and a barrier layer, however due to the weight,
rigidity and comfort the use of corrugated cardboard panels is preferred.
[0049] The vapor or moisture barrier layer can be provided in form of a film, e.g. a film
of a material known in the art for such barrier layers. Examples of suitable materials
are polyethylene (PE), like high density polyethylene or low density polyethylene;
polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH); polyvinyl acetate (PVA);
polypropylene (PP), polylactic acid (PLA) and/or polyamide (PA), which can be used
as single polymers, mixture of polymers or copolymers of the mentioned, wherein PE
films are particularly preferred. Furthermore, an oiled paper may be used as a vapor
or moisture barrier sheet.
[0050] Further, the moisture barrier layer can be provided as a coating on at least one
surface of a sheet used for preparation of the cardboard or the package container
of the present invention. Such coatings may comprise at least one of: (i) a wax compound,
(ii) a surfactant, in particular a surfactant solid at 20°C (iii) a polymer, (iv)
a triazine-containing compound; (v) a nano-cellulose material; (vi) a nanoclay material;
and/or (vii) an inorganic oxide material. Presence of at least one of compounds (i),
(ii) or (iii) is preferred. The thickness of the barrier film or layer typically ranges
from about 5 nanometers to about 100 µm, preferably from 10 nm to 50 µm, 20 nm to
25 µm, 30 nm to 10 µm, 40 nm to 5 µm or 50 nm to1 µm. Examples of wax compounds (i)
are natural waxes, in particular wax esters or wax alcohols. Examples for such waxes
are lanolin, paraffine, carnauba wax, candelilla wax or bees wax, wax alcohols may
be represented by cetyl alcohol, carnaubyl alcohol, ceryl alcohol and myricyl alcohol,
examples of waxy acids are myristinic acid, palmic acid, stearic acid, laurinic acid,
lignoceric acid, cerotinic acid, montanic acid and melissic acid, without being restricted
to the mentioned. Examples of suitable surfactants (ii) are nonionic or anionic surfactants
which are solid at room temperature (defined being 20°C), preferably which are solid
up to a temperature of 35°C. Due to their characteristics nonionic surfactants are
preferred, in particular fatty alcohols or esters, optionally comprising EO or PO
groups. Such surfactants are disclosed in detail below as part of the detergent composition.
Suitable polymers (iii) are those as mentioned above for the barrier film and further
copolymers including styrene butadiene copolymers, modified styrene butadiene copolymers,
styrene/acrylate copolymers, carboxylated polystyrene, acrylic/polyacrylic polymers,
polyvinylacetate-ethylene, polyvinyl acrylic polymer, soy protein polymer; corn zein
(protein), starch, a polyolefin dispersion (e.g., modified propylene-based dispersion),
polyvinylidene chloride, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoate polymers, polybutylene
succinate, plasticized cellulose acetate, and mixtures thereof. Triazine compounds
(iv) that can be included are 1,3,5-triazines such as melamine, ammeline, ammelide,
cyanuric acid, 2-ureidomelamine, melam, melem, melon, melamine salts such as, for
example, melamine cyanurate, melamine phosphate, dimelamine pyrophosphate or melamine
polyphosphate and functionalized melamines, such as for instance hexamethoxymethyl
melamine or acrylate-functionalized melamine. An example for a suitable cellulose
material (v) is nano-fibrillated or nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC). The barrier layer
may comprise nanocrystalline cellulose which is a uniform, redispersible natural nanoparticle
obtained from the crystalline regions of cellulose fibers. The cellulose can be derived
from natural cellulose such as wood or wheat straw. Alternatively, the cellulose can
be derived from a regenerated source such as rayon or viscose. Exemplary nanocrystalline
cellulose is available from CELLUFORCE
™ of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.Nanocrystalline cellulose is typically about 100 nm to
200 nm long and is typically about 5 nm to 10 nm in diameter. During manufacture,
cellulose is milled and hydrolyzed to remove amorphous regions. The resulting nanocrystalline
cellulose is then separated and concentrated before being modified for coating applications.
Nanocrystalline cellulose is light weight, biodegradable, non-toxic, cost-efficient,
and recyclable. Suitable nanoclay materials (vi) include platey kaolins, nanoclays,
clay nanocomposite, and polymer-clay nanocomposite structures including hyper-platey,
nanodimensional thickness crystals. Nanoclay materials as described herein can be
e.g. dispersed within a polymer-based or water-based matrix. Suitable inorganic oxide
materials (vii) that perform as a barrier layer or coating include aluminum oxide
(AlOx), silicon oxide (SiOx), and magnesium oxide (MgOx). In the aforementioned oxide
materials, "x" is a suitable number or fraction for the stoichiometric amount of oxygen
(e.g., Al2O3, SiO2, MgO). Such oxide coatings may be prepared using plasma-assisted
deposition on a substrate.
[0051] The thickness of the cardboard (laminate) including the (preferably corrugated) cardboard
and the optional vapor/moisture barrier layer preferably should be in the range from
0,5 mm to 3 mm to provide suitable stability to said container, more preferred 0,8
mm to 2,5 mm, even more preferred 1 mm to 2 mm.
[0052] Figure 5A represents a blank, for example a corrugated cardboard blank, suitable
for making a box such as the box represented in Figure 1A. An intermediate folding
step of such blank is represented in Figure 5B. The reference numerals used in Figures
5A and 5B correspond to the reference numerals used in Figure 1A. As represented in
Figures 5A and 5B, the top panel section 190 is directly connected by a fold line
to one of the connecting sidewalls, in this case to connecting sidewall 112. Once
folded, top panel section is attached, for example by gluing, for support, to flaps
172 and 173, such flaps 172 and 173 being respectively directly connected by respective
fold lines to the opposite sidewall 113 and to the specific sidewall 111. In this
example, the four sidewalls are connected, once folded, by a sidewall flap 171. In
this example, the base 110 is formed by 4 different flaps, although a base may be
formed by less flaps. It advantageous for a base to be formed by more than one layer
due to the fact that a base as per this disclosure will be in direct contact with
flooring, in particular humid or wet flooring. In this example, specific actuator
130 is directly cut out in the specific sidewall 111. In this example, a reinforcement
flap 174 is provided, the reinforcement flap being directly connected by a fold line
to the specific sidewall, the reinforcement flap covering the specific actuator cutout
when folded back as illustrated by a dashed line in Figure 5B, in order to maintain
the integrity of the structure.
[0053] Figures 6A-B represent a blank, for example a corrugated cardboard blank, suitable
for making a box such as the box represented in Figure 4A. An intermediate folding
step of the blank represented in Figure 6B is represented in Figure 6C. The reference
numerals used in Figures 6A-C correspond to the reference numerals used in Figure
4A. In the case of the blank represented in Figure 6A, the top panel 490 comprises
a double layer. Using multiple layers for the top panel or top panel sections permits
increasing transmittal of the reciprocal feedback. In this example, the top panel
comprises an opening which may be opened once by removing part of the top panel following
perforations, such perforation being provided in both layers in this example. In this
example, the top panel comprises a top panel section directly connected to the specific
sidewall by a fold line, another top panel section directly connected to the opposite
sidewall by a fold line, and two further top panel sections, each of these being,
when folded, respectively connected, for example by gluing, to a respective connecting
sidewall by a respective flap, such respective flap being directly connected to a
respective connecting sidewall by a fold line. In this example, the actuators 403
and 130 are directly cutout in the respective opposite and specific sidewalls. In
the case of the blank represented in Figure 6B, actuator 403 is directly cutout in
the top panel, specifically in the opposite connecting top panel section. This permits
avoiding impacting sidewall integrity. In the case of the blank represented in Figure
6B, actuator 130 is provided as a flap directly connected to the top panel, specifically
to the specific connecting top panel section, by a fold line. This also permits avoiding
impacting sidewall integrity. An intermediate folding step of the blank of Figure
6B is represented in Figure 6C. In Figure 6B, the blank comprises a multilayer top
panel and opening integrally surrounded by top panel portions as represented in Figure
6A.
[0054] In some examples, a box blank comprises the top panel in a box blank which is comprised
in a flat envelope and may be erected after applying glue to specific flaps (illustrated
with a grey area in the blanks hereby illustrated).
[0055] In some examples the detergent product comprises a detergent composition. The detergent
composition may be a laundry detergent composition, an automatic dishwashing composition,
a hard surface cleaning composition, or a combination thereof. The detergent composition
may comprise a solid, a liquid or a mixture thereof. The term liquid includes a gel,
a solution, a dispersion, a paste, or a mixture thereof. The solid may be a powder.
By powder we herein mean that the detergent composition may comprise solid particulates
or may be a single homogenous solid. In some examples, the powder detergent composition
comprises particles. This means that the powder detergent composition comprises individual
solid particles as opposed to the solid being a single homogenous solid. The particles
may be free-flowing or may be compacted. A laundry detergent composition can be used
in a fabric hand wash operation or may be used in an automatic machine fabric wash
operation, for example in an automatic machine fabric wash operation. Example laundry
detergent compositions comprise a non-soap surfactant, wherein the non-soap surfactant
comprises an anionic non-soap surfactant and a non-ionic surfactant. In some examples,
the laundry detergent composition comprises between 10% and 60%, or between 20% and
55% by weight of the laundry detergent composition of the non-soap surfactant. Example
weight ratio of non-soap anionic surfactant to nonionic surfactant are from 1:1 to
20:1, from 1.5:1 to 17.5:1, from 2:1 to 15:1, or from 2.5:1 to 13:1. Example non-soap
anionic surfactants comprises linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, alkyl sulphate or a
mixture thereof. Example weight ratio of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate to alkyl sulphate
are from 1:2 to 9:1, from 1:1 to 7:1, from 1:1 to 5:1, or from 1:1 to 4:1. Example
linear alkylbenzene sulphonates are C
10-C
16 alkyl benzene sulfonic acids, or C
11-C
14 alkyl benzene sulfonic acids. By 'linear', we herein mean the alkyl group is linear.
Example alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant may comprise alkoxylated alkyl sulphate
or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulphate or a mixture thereof. Example alkoxylated alkyl
sulphate anionic surfactant comprise an ethoxylated alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant.
Example alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant may comprise an ethoxylated alkyl sulphate
anionic surfactant with a mol average degree of ethoxylation from 1 to 5, from 1 to
3, or from 2 to 3. Example alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant may comprise a non-ethoxylated
alkyl sulphate and an ethoxylated alkyl sulphate wherein the mol average degree of
ethoxylation of the alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant is from 1 to 5, from 1 to 3,
or from 2 to 3. Example alkyl fraction of the alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant are
derived from fatty alcohols, oxo-synthesized alcohols, Guerbet alcohols, or mixtures
thereof. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises between 10%
and 50%, between 15% and 45%, between 20% and 40%, or between 30% and 40% by weight
of the laundry detergent composition of the non-soap anionic surfactant. In some examples,
the non-ionic surfactant is selected from alcohol alkoxylate, an oxosynthesised alcohol
alkoxylate, Guerbet alcohol alkoxylates, alkyl phenol alcohol alkoxylates, or a mixture
thereof. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises between 0.01%
and 10%, between 0.01% and 8%, between 0.1% and 6%, or between 0.15% and 5% by weight
of the liquid laundry detergent composition of a non-ionic surfactant. In some examples,
the laundry detergent composition comprises between 1.5% and 20%, between 2% and 15%,
between 3% and 10%, or between 4% and 8% by weight of the laundry detergent composition
of soap, in some examples a fatty acid salt, in some examples an amine neutralized
fatty acid salt, wherein in some examples the amine is an alkanolamine for example
selected from monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine or a mixture thereof,
in some examples monoethanolamine. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition
is a liquid laundry detergent composition. In some examples the liquid laundry detergent
composition comprises less than 15%, or less than 12% by weight of the liquid laundry
detergent composition of water. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition
is a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent selected
from 1,2-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, tripropyleneglycol, glycerol, sorbitol,
polyethylene glycol or a mixture thereof. In some examples, the liquid laundry detergent
composition comprises between 10% and 40%, or between 15% and 30% by weight of the
liquid laundry detergent composition of the non-aqueous solvent. In some examples,
the laundry detergent composition comprises a perfume. In some examples, the laundry
detergent composition comprises an adjunct ingredient selected from the group comprising
builders including enzymes, citrate, bleach, bleach catalyst, dye, hueing dye, brightener,
cleaning polymers including alkoxylated polyamines and polyethyleneimines, soil release
polymer, surfactant, solvent, dye transfer inhibitors, chelant, encapsulated perfume,
polycarboxylates, structurant, pH trimming agents, and mixtures thereof. In some examples,
the laundry detergent composition has a pH between 6 and 10, between 6.5 and 8.9,
or between 7 and 8, wherein the pH of the laundry detergent composition is measured
as a 10% product concentration in demineralized water at 20°C. When liquid, the laundry
detergent composition may be Newtonian or non-Newtonian. In some examples, the liquid
laundry detergent composition is non-Newtonian. Without wishing to be bound by theory,
a non-Newtonian liquid has properties that differ from those of a Newtonian liquid,
more specifically, the viscosity of non-Newtonian liquids is dependent on shear rate,
while a Newtonian liquid has a constant viscosity independent of the applied shear
rate. The decreased viscosity upon shear application for non-Newtonian liquids is
thought to further facilitate liquid detergent dissolution. The liquid laundry detergent
composition described herein can have any suitable viscosity depending on factors
such as formulated ingredients and purpose of the composition.
[0056] In some examples, the consumer product comprises at least one water-soluble unit
dose article and the container. The consumer product can be sold 'as is', in other
words the consumer product is the item that the consumer picks up from the shelf.
Alternatively, the consumer product could be housed as one unit of a multi-component
product. For example, more than one consumer product could be housed within an outer
package and the multiple packaged consumer products sold together in a single purchase.
The consumer product may comprise aesthetic elements, for example shrink sleeves or
labels attached to the container. Alternatively, the container may be coloured or
printed with aesthetic elements or informative print such as usage instructions.
[0057] In some examples a water-soluble unit dose article comprises at least one water-soluble
film orientated to create at least one-unit dose internal compartment, wherein the
at least one-unit dose internal compartment comprises a detergent composition. The
water-soluble film and the detergent composition are described in more detail below.
In some examples the consumer product comprises at least one water-soluble unit dose
article, in some cases at least two water-soluble unit dose articles, in some cases
at least 10 water-soluble unit dose articles, in some cases at least 20 water-soluble
unit dose articles, in some cases at least 30 water-soluble unit dose articles, in
some cases at least 40 water-soluble unit dose articles, in some cases at least 45
water-soluble unit dose articles. A water-soluble unit dose article is in some examples
in the form of a pouch. A water-soluble unit dose article comprises in some examples
a unitary dose of a composition as a volume sufficient to provide a benefit in an
end application. The water-soluble unit dose article comprises in some examples one
water-soluble film shaped such that the unit-dose article comprises at least one internal
compartment surrounded by the water-soluble film. The at least one compartment comprises
a cleaning composition. The water-soluble film is sealed such that the cleaning composition
does not leak out of the compartment during storage. However, upon addition of the
water-soluble unit dose article to water, the water-soluble film dissolves and releases
the contents of the internal compartment into the wash liquor. The unit dose article
may comprise more than one compartment, at least two compartments, or at least three
compartments, or at least four compartments, or even at least five compartments. The
compartments may be arranged in superposed orientation, i.e. one positioned on top
of the other. Alternatively, the compartments may be positioned in a side-by-side
orientation, i.e. one orientated next to the other. The compartments may be orientated
in a 'tyre and rim' arrangement, i.e. a first compartment is positioned next to a
second compartment, but the first compartment at least partially surrounds the second
compartment, but does not completely enclose the second compartment. Alternatively,
one compartment may be completely enclosed within another compartment. In some examples
the unit dose article comprises at least two compartments, one of the compartments
being smaller than the other compartment. In some examples the unit dose article comprises
at least three compartments, two of the compartments may be smaller than the third
compartment, and in some examples the two smaller compartments being superposed on
the larger compartment. In some examples the unit dose article comprises at least
four compartments, three of the compartments may be smaller than the fourth compartment,
and in some examples the three smaller compartments being superposed on the larger
compartment. The superposed compartments are in some examples orientated side-by-side.
In some examples each individual unit dose article may have a weight of between 10g
and 40g, or even between 15g and 35g. The water soluble film may be soluble or dispersible
in water. Prior to be being formed into a unit dose article, the water-soluble film
has in some examples a thickness of from 20 to 150 micron, in other examples 35 to
125 micron, in further examples 50 to 110 micron, in yet further examples about 76
micron. Example water soluble film materials comprise polymeric materials. The film
material can, for example, be obtained by casting, blow-moulding, extrusion or blown
extrusion of the polymeric material. In some examples, the water-soluble film comprises
polyvinyl alcohol polymer or copolymer, for example a blend of polyvinylalcohol polymers
and/or polyvinylalcohol copolymers, for example selected from sulphonated and carboxylated
anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymers especially carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol
copolymers, for example a blend of a polyvinylalcohol homopolymer and a carboxylated
anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer. In some examples water soluble films are those
supplied by Monosol under the trade references M8630, M8900, M8779, M8310. In some
examples the film may be opaque, transparent or translucent. The film may comprise
a printed area. The area of print may be achieved using techniques such as flexographic
printing or inkjet printing. The film may comprise an aversive agent, for example
a bittering agent. Suitable bittering agents include, but are not limited to, naringin,
sucrose octaacetate, quinine hydrochloride, denatonium benzoate, or mixtures thereof.
Example levels of aversive agent include, but are not limited to, 1 to 5000ppm, 100
to 2500ppm, or 250 to 2000ppm. The water-soluble film or water-soluble unit dose article
or both may be coated with a lubricating agent. In some examples, the lubricating
agent is selected from talc, zinc oxide, silicas, siloxanes, zeolites, silicic acid,
alumina, sodium sulphate, potassium sulphate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate,
sodium citrate, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium citrate, potassium tripolyphosphate,
calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, starch, modified starches, clay,
kaolin, gypsum, cyclodextrins or mixtures thereof.
[0058] In some examples the container comprises a first part, wherein the first part comprises
a first compartment in which the at least one water-soluble unit dose article is contained.
In some examples the first compartment comprises at least two water-soluble unit dose
articles. The first compartment may comprise between 1 and 80 water-soluble unit dose
articles, between 1 and 60 water-soluble unit dose articles, between 1 and 40 water-soluble
unit dose articles, or between 1 and 20 water-soluble unit dose articles. The volume
of the first compartment may be between 500ml and 5000ml, in some examples between
800ml and 4000ml.
[0059] In some examples, the detergent product is in the form of unit dose detergent pouches,
preferably in the form of flexible water soluble unit dose detergent pouches, whereby
the aperture is configured to prevent a unit dose detergent pouch from passing through
the aperture. It should be understood that with containers as illustrated in any of
Figures 1A, 1B, 3, 4A, 4B or 4C, it is indeed possible that the container be for some
reason stored upside down, in which case an accidental opening would result in filling
the lid with detergent pouches. In such a situation, having the aperture configured
to prevent a unit dose detergent pouch from passing through the aperture permits avoiding
spilling detergent pouches accidentally through the aperture. In some examples, the
pouches have a minimum cross section, such minimum cross section being in some cases
surrounded by an external flange area, such minimum cross section intersecting an
internal volume of the detergent article comprising the detergent, such minimum cross
section being of less than the actuation area aperture. For example, if the actuation
area aperture is of 1cm
2, pouches having a minimum cross section of 1.5cm
2 will not spill through the aperture.
[0060] In some examples, one or more flank of the flanks comprising a respective actuation
area covers at least 30% of one or more respective sidewall of the sidewalls when
the lid is in the closed position. In such examples, if the respective actuation area
is an aperture, such aperture will to some degree permit evacuating air comprised
in the lid while closing the lid as the lid slides onto the box. In some examples,
the lid defines a lid internal volume delimited by the top of the lid and the flanks.
In some examples the lid internal volume is comprised between 200 and 2000 cm
3, preferably between 750 cm
3 and 1500 cm
3. In some examples, one or more flank of the flanks comprising a respective actuation
area covers at least 40% of one or more respective sidewall of the sidewalls when
the lid is in the closed position. In some examples, one or more flank of the flanks
comprising a respective actuation area covers at least 50% of one or more respective
sidewall of the sidewalls when the lid is in the closed position. Providing a higher
flank coverage increases robustness and permits holding the content of the container
in the lid case of an accidental upside down opening. Such configurations may be advantageously
combined in some examples with an aperture configured to prevent a unit dose detergent
pouch from passing through the aperture.
[0061] In some examples, the specific centroid, and respectively additional centroid, is
separated from the top of the lid by more than 1 cm and by less than 3 cm. Such dimensioning
was found particularly effective at applying a high precision pinch.
[0062] In some examples, the specific actuation area, and respectively additional actuation
area, covers less than 6 cm
2 and more than 1 cm
2. Such dimensioning was also found particularly effective at applying a high precision
pinch.
[0063] In some examples, the flanks comprising two short flanks and two long flanks, whereby
the specific actuation area, and the respectively additional actuation area if present,
is on a long flank. This configuration permits increasing rigidity of the top of the
lid in the direction of the pinch, while maintaining a desired container inner volume.
The lid may indeed comprise two opposite long flanks parallel to each other and two
opposite short flanks parallel to each other, the long flanks being perpendicular
to the short flanks.
[0064] Figure 7 represents an example method 700 to operate a locked consumer product according
to any of the examples hereby described. The consumer product may be any example consumer
product according to this disclosure. Method 700 comprises, in block 701, unlocking
the container by pinching the lid with a first adult hand between a thumb of the first
adult hand and one or more other fingers of the first adult hand, the one or more
other fingers preferably comprising one or more of the index finger or of the middle
finger, whereby the pinching takes place across the top of the lid, whereby either
the thumb or the one or more other fingers apply the actuation pressure on the specific
actuation area, and respectively on the additional actuation area, when present, whereby
the thumb and one or more other fingers enter in contact simultaneously with the specific
flank and with the flank opposite the specific flank in an area between the specific
centroid, respectively additional centroid when the additional actuation is present,
and the top of the lid. Method 700 further comprises, in block 702, opening the container
by sliding the pinched lid away from the box in a direction normal to the top of the
lid while holding the box with a second adult hand. It should be understood that in
some example, a single specific actuation area, without an additional actuation area
being present, in which case pressure may be applied directly on the opposite flank
in lieu of being applied on an additional actuation area. In some other examples,
both the specific actuation area and the additional actuation area are provided.
[0065] Figure 8 illustrates an example method 800 comprising blocks 701 and 702 as described
in the context of Figure 7. Method 800 further comprises in block 803 closing the
container by placing the lid on the box until the lid is in the locked position. In
some examples, an audible click is produced when the lid gets locked, confirming that
locking took place.
[0066] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly
limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified,
each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40
mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".
1. A consumer product comprising a detergent product and a container, the container comprising
a box, a lid for the box, and a lock to maintain the lid in a closed position, the
box comprising the detergent product, the box comprising a base, sidewalls and an
opening provided in a top panel of the box opposite the base, the lid comprising a
top and flanks, the top covering the opening and the flanks covering at least a specific
portion of a specific sidewall of the sidewalls of the box when the lid is in the
closed position, the lock comprising a specific actuator moveable from a locking position
to an opening position by applying an actuation pressure onto the specific actuator
when the lid is in the closed position, the specific actuator being connected to the
specific portion of the specific sidewall, the flanks comprising a specific actuation
area in a specific flank, the specific actuation area facing the specific actuator
and permitting displacing the specific actuator from the locking position to the opening
position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation area when the
lid is in the closed position, whereby the top panel of the box comprises at least
a top panel section joining at least a part of the specific sidewall to at least a
part of an opposite sidewall, the opposite sidewall being opposite to the specific
sidewall, and whereby the specific actuation area defines a specific centroid, whereby
the specific centroid is separated from the top of the lid by less than 5 cm and by
more than 0.5 cm, whereby the specific centroid is separated from a distal end of
the specific flank by more than 0.5 cm.
2. The consumer product according to claim 1, whereby the top of the lid spans less than
13 cm and more than 6cm along a direction normal to the specific portion of the specific
sidewall at the specific centroid.
3. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, whereby the top panel section
has a minimum width in a plane coinciding with the top panel of the box and along
a direction parallel to the specific portion of a specific sidewall, the minimum width
being of at least 5% of a length of an edge between the top panel and the specific
sidewall.
4. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, whereby the top panel section
joining at least a part of the specific sidewall to at least a part of the opposite
sidewall is connected to a first connecting sidewall wall, the first connecting sidewall
joining the specific sidewall and the opposite sidewall, the first connecting sidewall
being preferably perpendicular to the specific sidewall, to the opposite sidewall,
and to the top panel section.
5. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, whereby the top panel of
the box comprises an additional top panel section, the additional top panel section
joining at least a part of the specific sidewall to at least a part of the opposite
sidewall, the additional top panel section preferably being connected to a first and
to a second connecting sidewall wall, the first and second connecting sidewalls joining
the specific sidewall and the opposite sidewall, the second connecting sidewall being
preferably perpendicular to the specific sidewall, to the opposite sidewall, and to
the top panel section, the second connecting sidewall being preferably opposite the
first connecting sidewall.
6. The consumer product according to claim 5, whereby the top panel section and the additional
top panel section have a combined minimum width in a plane coinciding with the top
panel of the box and along a same direction parallel to the specific portion of a
specific sidewall, the combined minimum width being of at least 5% of a length of
an edge between the top panel and the specific sidewall.
7. The consumer product according to claim 5 or to claim 6 , whereby the top panel section
and the additional top panel section are connected by a specific connecting top panel
section, the specific connecting top panel section being preferably connected to the
specific sidewall, the specific connecting top panel section being preferably perpendicular
to the specific sidewall.
8. The consumer product according to any one of claims 5 to 7, whereby the top panel
section and the additional top panel section are connected by an opposite connecting
top panel section, the opposite connecting top panel section being preferably connected
to the opposite sidewall, the opposite connecting top panel section being preferably
perpendicular to the opposite sidewall.
9. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, whereby the opening has
a perimeter delimited by at least one or more of the top panel section, additional
top panel section when present, specific connecting top panel section when present,
and opposite connecting top panel section when present.
10. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, whereby the top panel has
a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, preferably of at least 0.7 mm.
11. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, whereby the opening spans
an area of at least 10 cm2, preferably of at least 20 cm2.
12. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, whereby the opening spans
an area of at least 20% of a top panel area, and at most 95% of the top panel area.
13. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, whereby the specific actuation
area spans less than 8 cm2 and more than 0.2 cm2.
14. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, the flanks comprising an
additional actuation area in an opposite flank, the opposite flank being opposite
the specific flank, the additional actuation area being adjacent to an additional
portion of a sidewall opposite the specific sidewall, whereby:
- the additional actuation area spans less than 8 cm2 and more than 0.2 cm2, the additional actuation area defining an additional centroid;
- - the additional centroid is separated from the top of the lid by less than 5 cm
and by more than 0.5 cm;
- - the additional centroid is separated from a distal end of the opposite flank by
more than 0.5 cm;
- the additional centroid is preferably aligned with the specific centroid along a
direction normal to the additional portion at the additional centroid; and
- the additional centroid and the specific centroid are preferably separated by more
than 6 cm and by less than 13 cm.
15. The consumer product according to claim 14, whereby a shortest distance between the
additional centroid and the specific centroid along the specific flank, top of the
lid and opposite flank is of less than 18cm.
16. The consumer product according to either one of claims 14 or 15, whereby the lock
comprises an additional actuator, the additional actuator being connected to the additional
portion of the sidewall opposite the specific sidewall, the additional actuator facing
the additional actuation area.
17. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, whereby the detergent product
is in the form of unit dose detergent pouches, preferably in the form of flexible
water soluble unit dose detergent pouches.
18. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, whereby one or more flank
of the flanks comprising a respective actuation area covers at least 30% of one or
more respective sidewall of the sidewalls when the lid is in the closed position.
19. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, whereby the lid may be
entirely separated from the box when open, and whereby the lid weighs less than 200g
and more than 10g.
20. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, whereby the container is
made from paper or cardboard materials.
21. The consumer product according to the above claim, whereby the top panel of the box
comprises a corrugated cardboard layer, the corrugated cardboard layer comprising
flutes, the flutes preferably running parallel to the direction normal to the specific
portion at the specific centroid and parallel to the base of the box, and whereby
the opening intersects at least some of the flutes.
22. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, the flanks comprising two
short flanks and two long flanks, whereby the specific actuation area, and the respectively
additional actuation area if present, is on a long flank.
23. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, whereby the container has
a form factor configured for letterbox delivery.
24. The consumer product according to any of the above claims, whereby the container is
a cardboard container, whereby at least some of the cardboard comprises at least one
layer serving as a moisture barrier or vapor barrier, wherein said moisture barrier
or vapor barrier is preferably made of or comprises one or more of:
(i) a wax compound;
(ii) (ii) a surfactant, in particular a surfactant solid at 20°C;
(iii) (iii) a polymer;
(iv) (iv) a triazine-containing compound;
(v) a nano-cellulose material;
(vi) (vi) a nanoclay material; and
(vii) (vii) an inorganic oxide material,
or said moisture barrier or vapor barrier is an oiled paper, wherein presence of at
least one of compounds (i), (ii) or (iii) is preferred, most preferred the moisture
barrier being a polymer film, in particular a polyethylene film.